I was in attendance. It rained all day. They stamped you when you entered so you could leave and come back. Many opted for having the stamp, which read "DEAD", stamped on their forehead. We were all overwhelmed by the sheer number of new songs -- the looks of wonderment abounded. The sound? Well... Thank goodness for the soundboard.

this recording of a clearly 5/5 concert is hampered by a mixing issue - keith is pretty much lost in the mix, except for between (sort of) sugaree and playing in the band.

his keys add so much to the overall effect during these songs, especially playing in the band which is just absolutely incredible, that having him much more absent for the rest of the show is really noticeable and unfortunate.

2/9/73 was when this high school kid had a life-changing experience.
So what happened on this February day... how about:

Row Jimmy
Loose Lucy
Here Comes Sunshine
They Love Each Other
Eyes of the World
China Doll
Wave That Flag (later to become US Blues, after a few modifications)

Not to mention, an early version of the Wall of Sound. And about 1 second into the Promised Land opener, half the speakers blow. There’s lots of conversation and tinkering throughout Set 1, but they seem to have the “forty foot cockroach” (thanks Bobby) ironed out by Set 2. And just in time, too, for the beautiful, first-ever Eyes into the beautiful, first-ever China Doll. The band was in their prime....

Some play-by-play notes: I didn't know that the Promised Land (Chuck Berry) featured a broke down Greyhound in B'ham! 'getting the bugs out banter' b/c of the all new PA (hoping that by the end of the night 'it will stand up and grow some hair'); nice bouncy show (e.g. Beer Barrel Polka, Mexicali). Great sound near the end of Here Comes Sunshine around 9:00 (sonic). Nice group jam w/ great staccato guitar work from Bobby (and Phil, and Bill on drums) around 12:00ff of Playin'. Vietnam - Bach Mai disaster, hospital ('rainbow makers'). Solid China>Rider. Solid Eyes w/ an overdriven sound to jerry's guitar. Interesting Eyes jam, repetition of rhythmic theme>free form-ish jam>rhythmic theme.

Earlier this year I listened to this show for the first time in a long while (one of first dozen or so shows I had on cassette). In the meantime I've probably listened to most of the other versions of Eyes and/or China Doll from '73-'74, and some of those numerous times.

Anyways, on my aforementioned "return trip" to the Maples Pavillion, I came to the conclusion that these two first performances of Eyes and China Doll were two of the best they ever played. I'm not sure I could say that for any other Dead tune (though I haven't given it much thought ... yet ... ).

As others have noted, Weir and Co. take the Eyes into a plane which is never revisited in subsequent versions. The transition into China Doll is great, and the Doll itself is insanely lugubrious, the climax a most relieving payoff.

Throughout these two songs, the sound system appears to be working quite well. If there are any "bugs" in it, they either aren't audible to me or they are the kind of "bugs" that the band just flows with and which end up being "the sound of that show." The randomness of tube electronics.

Best SM ever imo, first version that I ever hear and THE song that got me hooked on the dead. Still remember the chills I got hearing it for the first time. Havent listened to the entire show but it is a classic, monster 73 setlist so I'll give it 4 stars

Hello friends,

Anyone know where to download this terrific show?

I see old messages about downloading, but nothing recent.

Thanks!

This one is truly unique. The first show played in 1973 is overly generous in its offerings. Not only an extremely well played show, but it was this night that the band introduced the country to the proto 'Wall of Sound'. While the sound clearly still had kinks to be ironed out, it does not steal from the accomplished and energetic music the boys laid down. What's more, many debuts were introduced: HERE COMES SUNSHINE, ROW JIMMY, LOOSE LUCY, WAVE THAT FLAG, CHINA DOLL, THEY LOVE EACH OTHER, and of course the epic EYES OF THE WORLD.

This debut Eyes is interesting in that Bobby Ace's chords during the verses are unique only to this version. By late '72 Bobby had really come into his own as an accomplished six-string player, and one can here that vividly tonight. His licks are lyrical with contrapuntal remarks that evoke a line of melody traversing a world of exploratory chord changes. Check it out, folks!

While things would only get better (see 2/15 Dane County), this whole show is a gas, and an essential slice of 1973 in all it's glory..

My father and i share a love for the Dead which was born from this night ... his first show.... can anyone point me in the direction where i can download it, I would like to give it to him for his birthday...all the best

This is the best sounding SDB out of the available sources, according to my ears. The bass isn't as boomy and the highs are a bit tighter. Better instrument separation, tone, and voice.

While I prefer the summer shows from this year, this late winter/spring tour is not to be missed. You get the very first versions of Eyes of the World, Here Comes Sunshine, Row Jimmy and more. This show presents the birth of the jazzy Dead jams that would come to define their sound over the next decades. Jerry is playing his tweaked 'Allegator' Strat which sounded more and more unique as the year would go on ('73 is also the birth of Jerry's customized tone; he moved away from playing basically standard guitars, like the sunburst Strat and various Gibsons). The proto-Wall of Sound was used during this tour.

Listen carefully. This show will steal your face.

This is in my top 20 shows of alltime GDshows. get this show if like the band and don't have it.maybe some peoples favorite. definatly one my favorites.

Agree with the TLEO being one of the best ever, the best i've heard up to this point please prove me wrong i would love to hear better if it exists, but satisfied with this one. Also dig the LLR and China Cat alon with the rest of the show.

Wow I was 17 when I went to this show. Raised in Palo Alto Manzana Lane, went to Gunn. Myselfe and 4 friends went and you could come and go as you pleased. The floor was a rocking and the Wall was super. Good times and many more that followed...........I belive a new gym replaced this one...cuz I remember the original! Garcia all later.......

I was lookin' for Madison WI show with the You Aint Woman on it, stumbled on this one. Pretty nice show, some of the sets seem to look similar. Whatever! This one is at Jerry's birthplace, really awsome Truckin'>Eyes! Sounds like Jerry put some fatback on his strings for his hometown buddies! Mustof been nice! Rock on!

A nice way to start off '73, but it only gets better from here. 2/15, for example, just 6 days later, is arguably the years' best, or at least in the top 5. Some of the 'first evers' are performed well, like a super bouncy TLEO, or a really mellow and spacey take on eyes; others not so much, like an under-developed and flubby Row Jimmy. obviously, these first performances are forgivable, but it still dosen't make this one great. But like i said before, this is still a solid and popular show for the year... if you've already heard the likes of 5/26, 11/11, 12/6 and want to hear something a little different, give an ear or two...

I was privileged to produce this concert for the Stanford student association, and left a review/comment with a few more historical details under the other recording of the same concert on this site, at http://tinyurl.com/mx3nfv, for those who may be interested.

Ron

This was one of those tapes that made the rounds in my college days. It was called the Bach Mai tape because of Wavy Gravy's Hog Farm Rap about the bombing of the Bach Mai hospital in Dec. 1972.

"Taking a shit is a political act, smoking it is a more political act."

The band wanted to play but Wavy was determined, god bless him.

Reportedly: First Performances of: Row Jimmy, Loose Lucy, Here Comes Sunshine, They Love Each Other., Eyes of the World, China Doll, Wave That Flag; “Beer Barrel Polka” tuning before “Mexicali”. (According to Musical Stew Daily)

All I got to say is, that Ramble is sick.... ^_^

Hey all,

How do I download a show such as this one when it does not give me a whole show or an individual song option? Am I missing a step? Is it possible?

A little help please, thanks.

Peace

1st eyes and it clocks in at 18 min

how about 8/13/75?

Bangin AUD that survived right over here, owned by my frienf, from before it was ever considered for release..and if you haven't got goosebumps by the time the first jam is over (help/slip/franklin's/music) then you're crazy.

And to think I've been battling some guy on youtube who says the Dead are "overrated" as musicians.

I agree, a great TLEO, but the definitive one is just a few nights later: 02-15-73.

Elvis the King, please contact me:
evanshunt@astound.net

download it now before it gets released as dick pick no. 234 , or whatever it's up to now. can't really go wrong with any 73 but this one is special indeed eh. long live this site, long live my computer, and long live music, o.k not rap music. peace!

jerry plays brilliantly in el paso, great BTW, gotta love LLR played a little faster than usual, real groovy tleo, overall a great show from 73, wonderful mix as well. Wall of sound kicks ass. defenitly a must have

I haven't heard this show since that night. I am not a tape trader, and I just happened upon this site a couple of days ago. I had heard that this was a popular show with the Dead community, but I had no idea how popular. Well, the music speaks for itself. What I could add is that listening again confirms what I thought that night, which was that the Dead were loose and swinging. And I thought I would share a couple of memories with you all.

I was attending Stanford at the time (I saw a lot of shows at Winterland in the early 70's, but that's another story), and me and my friends took turns standing in line in the rain and shuttling back and forth to Manzanita Park to get dry and smoke in peace. You could get your hand stamped so you could go outside and back in if you wanted. I think they had about two security guards for the whole arena. I think we trashed the floor pretty well -- you know this is for basketball, this place -- so all the future shows on campus were at Frost. Anyway, the stamp read "DEAD", and I spotted quite a few foreheads stamped. There was a lot of dosed folks at this event, and it was a beautiful trip for all.

I am so glad I can hear this concert any time, even if there are some dropouts and fading in and out on the vocals. Jerry's playing is very creative, and the PITB, TLEO, CC/IKYR are only a few of the highlights.

Oh, I am 53 and I probably saw about 20 Dead shows total, some of which are considered pretty darn good (10/18 and 19/74, 2/26/77, and 12/31/78 are a few). Happy listening, dudes and dudettes!

settle down easy and enjoy this soundboard

Wall of sound debut + Firsts = 5 *

sickest TLEO ever! nuff said. rule number 5 and turn it up. i love it when the first couple shows from these older years smoke it up. example 2-26-81 and 2-27-81 chicago as well.

When I first heard this recording it was on a tape with no label or date at all. It was simply colored blue, hence, the blue tape. Unfortunately, I loaned my copy out to a less than reliable friend, who never remembered receiving it in the first place. So after many years, I have finally stumbled on this gem once again. Like so many years ago, the transition between the China>Rider still gives me goose bumps! Listen to Phil here, people! The only other bootleg that ever gave me goosebumps was the Cornell Scarlet-Fire.

This is my favourite HCSunshine, the vocals are just right on. Doesn't mean it's the best, just sometimes you hear a less than ideal version of a song and you think oh well what if, and then to hear that what if, ripe with the purtiy of the concept, Donna Bob Phil and Jerry together, its well worth the experience. Sure the new tunes will get better and different later on, but most music hits the ground running, less Lucy, Im a 74 fan, and Wave the Flag is unique, cause it only lasts a few months,we are very privilaged to hear them work out the kinks right in front of us.
email me at fieldhouse11277@hotmail.com happy to share with responsible listeners.

What I like about this concert is the sound is clear enough to understand how some of the original songs sound. Is this the no-Hart days?

For instance, I get a really good feel for how Black Throated Wind goes, in many of the later concerts there is just too much music coming out to really hear the base, guitar, and drums. Some songs are not meant to have 6 instruments going at the same time. It just muddles a simple melody.

The recording is OK - there are times it's crystal clear and times that it drops in and out. I'm only on Me and My Uncle so far and there have been several drops. Not completely annoying though.

Not to say it's a bad show or anything, but I wouldn't even put it in the top half of the year. Sure, it was a landmark show with all the debuts, but these songs improved a great deal sooner or later. The first Eyes is interesting but the jam was half-finished at this point. PITB sounds a lot like other 73 versions. It doesn't help that the recording suffers from the flatness typical of this period.

OK LETS REVIEW, 7 FIRST TIME PLAYED SONGS AND POSSIBLY SOME OF THE BEST, I'M PRETTY SURE THAT THE LOOSE LUCY IS THE BEST BECAUSE IF IT GETS ANY BETTER THAN THAT THEN I MUST BE IN HEAVEN, I HAVE OVER FOUR THOUSAND HOURS OF THE DEAD NOW THANKS TO THIS SITE AND SITES LIKE IT , SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THIS SITE.
NEXT TO TALK ABOUT THE SHOW, CHECK OUT THE HERE COMES SUNSHINE AND ALL SEVEN OF THE FIRST TIME PLAYED SONGS AND THEN GO TO 02-15-1973 AND CHECK OUT ALL THE SAME SONGS BEING PLAYED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE BOY'S REALLY SHOW HOW GRATE THEY REALLY ARE BY THE PROGRESSION OF THE BAND BETWEEN THESE TWO NIGHTS, DAMN I LOVE THE BOY'S !!!! NOTHING LEFT TO DO BUT SMILE,SMILE,SMILE !!!!

Or do you prefer those old tasty up tempo versions of They Love Each Other? This version was filler on one of my tapes for years. Good to have it back. The 6-10-73 is also a particular favorite. Eyes. Sick. Nuff Said.

This is just the exact reason why so many of us Love the DEAD.....Sound = Superb......Song list= Amazing.....The energy = at it`s best .....I can`t believe I just stumbled on this one now..... wooooooo hooooooo!!!! This show will be in my cd player from now till the day I depart...Thanks to whom ever put this show up...Thank you thank you thank you... Peace and Good Tiddings...

a concert i would literally give a testicle to have been at. ok, well maybe a finger nail. how exactly do you play a song for the first time and make it sound unbelievable? you dont... unless of course you are the dead. just download it and you will see how good it is. my favorite song played for the first time. :-D

Every listener out here has a favorite. Mine just happens to be Eyes of the World. Dunno why. Don't know how it happened. It just did.

For a never been heard before, first ever, 'hey stick around for this', this first ever immaculate version kicks complete ass. the jam at the end takes you there and back again, a la bilbo baggins; I can only imagine being there when this was busted out. oh wait...no I can't. wasn't born til fours months and a day later.

....for a real good time

Such an awesome show! The Eyes is fucking awesome, as is TLEO. Why couldn't they have played that song like this forever!!??

The first set, yeah it's a bit rough, but the music is awesome and they make up for it by the second set. Download this show...

The best beer barrel polka I ever heard! I absolutely love this show. This has incredible versions of almost every song on this download. The highlights for me are the Eyes, Ramble on Rose, HCSS, TLEO, Row Jimmy, Jack Straw, Loose Lucy, et al... There are too many gems to mention them all. This is a must have. Period, end of story!!!!!

This is where it all started. This is where, in Palo Alto, CA, Weir meet Garcia New Year's Eve 1963 at Dana Morgan Music (Music Store) and where many moons ago, approximately 640 moons, figuring 29.5 days for each moon cycle, I was born, at the old Stanford Hospital which, according to my mother, was on or very near the site of where the Dead played this night. So here we were, me around 241 moons after birth, actually, unbelievably, on a date, and the Dead 10
years after meeting, enjoying the night together. As it turns out this was the only time I took a date to see the Dead. We ended up as far away as possible in the building but I consider this in my top 10% as far as fun factor. The girl was hot and I was shocked. Only my wife was as hot and I meet her 15 years later. It is probably the only concert I sat the whole time but that's cool as
we were enjoying ourselves just fine. Are you guys sick about hearing about me? I've just started my reviews. I have around 90 more to go. Click my name and you will find out more. You see the last time I talked to anyone that liked
the Grateful Dead, even though I live in their home territory, was in 1984 when my DeadHead male friend and I parted as long time friends. Since then I have been on my own. Went to concerts on my own, grieving the losses on my own. My wife thinks the Dead play Oakie music. What can I do? So I live in my own little private world of the Grateful Dead. And it is an awesome place this little private world of great music that I have adored since my first concert on 12/31/71 where I actually saw Pigpen with the Dead. The only time.

On with the show. I made one CD of the concert. In it Loose Lucy, Here Comes Sunshine, China Doll, and They Love Each Other are all played for the first time. And to think that I saw that! I love the dual lead in Loose Lucy. Garcia screws up some lyrics in Here Comes Sunshine but the lead is great. Weir is raucous in China Cat and They Love Each Other is played very fast. Sugar and Around are great. Sound is very good for being so long ago. This is a strong 4 star CD that I made, like a 4.4, but since I had such a great time at the concert, and all these songs, including eyes, were played for the first time, I am giving it 5 stars. Thanks for listening. I have so much more to say. Elvis the King

just to add to the rather large list of deserving comments relating to this show, the el paso is impressive check out jerry guns a blazin at the intro,used to have shitty copy this one sounds like heaven in comparison have to give it a 5 its that good

Insane! This show just rocks. One of the sickest "They Loved Each Other", "Here Comes Sunshine" both firsts. Also first times for this show were "China Doll", "Eyes of the World", "Loose Lucy", "Row Jimmy", and "Wave That Flag". Maybe its just me, but they always sounded like they were having so much fun in the early 70's. This show is a must.

This was my first dead bootleg i ever had back in 1987...it was not listed where or when but was know as the rainbow makers bootleg...great to find again...great sound and great music (china>rider and eyes)...thanks for this a second time

Thanks Archive for this one. I had this on tape many moons ago, and wore it out. I love the "they love each other" wish they had continued playing it like that. The whole show is great dispite the tech problems. Definitly a keeper.

They were overtly political (Wavy Gravy's plea for aid for the bombed hospital)I think one of the reasons they lasted is that they avoided the fray. Great playin, red hot china>rider, truckin>eyes on just smokes....

Geez... I just discovered this site... and rediscovering these great jems. I, too had the Gans Dead Hour broadcast and always loved the sound. I can't remember ever hearing 'firsts of' songs done so well... sure wasn't like that in later years. Nice to have these memories rekindled. One of the best Eyes ever... Here Comes Sunshine is so crisp and bouncy...

Probably my favorite version of "they love eachother" here. its bouncier and funkier than any later versions i know of and i wish the boys had kept it this way. Check it out, it suprised the hell out of me!

Once they get the mix ironed out, this show is a pleasant listen. (Till then, it's occasionally a rough ride.)

I first had this tape of a dead hour a few years back and I absolutely killed it. The HCSS is the best I've heard. Favorite Show...4 stars becuase of sound issues in first set.

Sorry to whiz on anyone's parade but the first set of this show sounds like a soundcheck to me (Bobby even admits as much after the first few numbers!). And it speaks to the quality of the musicians that a soundcheck by the Dead is better than most bands' actual set! But it sounds to me as if *nobody* can really hear too well up on stage. I don't think I've ever heard Billy play with less feeling than on this first set, as if he's struggling just to make sense out of the aural chaos around him. His playing is heavy and plodding and fairly repititious - in other words, not like Billy at all! Yes - there IS a lot of kick drum; don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of kick-drum too, but it threatens to overwhelm tunes like Row Jimmy in this first set, where Kreutzmann's subtle playing is CRUCIAL to the song. I'd love to hear some details about the PA setup for this tour and how it might have inspired the '74 Wall of Sound. With the exceptions of the Loose Lucy and Here Comes Sunshine the first set is sort of a wash for me. THAT BEING SAID, *everything* comes together by the time of Playin in the Band: the PA system is apparently fixed and the band plays every song with a vengeance. What everyone here has said about the great mix applies absolutely from there on out. The early version of China Doll is just stunning. The vocal harmonies on that song, Box of Rain, Uncle John's, are all amazing and crystal clear. Then, oddly, for the Casey Jones encore is sounds like someone spilled a beer on the mixing console during the short break!! Seriously, at first at though Jerry had a blown speaker in his amp, then I noticed Bobby's guitar was all distorted (in a bad way, like an overdriven mic preamp) as well. Don't know what happened but once again I think it affected the band: Jerry especially seems to hold back a bit at the beginning, like he's saying "what the #@$! is that noise?" before going "aw, screw it" and then just tearing into the song. Anyway, those technical issues are the ONLY thing keeping this from 5 stars in my book and I just thought it was weird no one else mentioned it. I guess it didn't bother anybody else?

Amazing version of Eyes of the World. The jazzy feel typical of the era is present, but the jam is actually exploratory. Late in the jam, there are a few aborted notions towards finishing up, but they never actually "complete" the song. Even though it's of similar length (18 minutes) to some other great Eyes of the period, this one is very different.

First, the sound quality of this show is amazing. The seperation of the instruments is fantastic (listen to Phil's bass playing in I Know Your Rider) and the vocals are clear and right out front. On a lot of the downloaded shows the vocals are too low or are muddy. Not so here, there is is a well mixed organic sounding show and the sound quality if A+.

Second, this show had a particularly funky groove to it. Jerry sings like a man possessed on Loose Lucy and the pulsating vibe on TLEO can't be beat. The Jack Straw and the China Cat/Rider are also quite nice. Get this show!!

The mix on this show is exellent. I love the drum mix in particular. The boom of the bass drum just drives the whole show. Grate sound quality all around on this one.

Simply the best, most rockin' Big River of all time. Not to forget a China>Rider that ranks with the best of them. My favorite show, and soon to be yours.

I downloaded the hi-fi lossless version (oxymoron) and was blown away even with that.

The songs are so lively, and I agree that there is a lot of funk present.

This show is a must for all Dead fans, and is good for those who are new to the music of the Dead.

if this jam doesnt get you dancin and smiling, you are not human, and nothing ever will. What a funky groove they lay down here.

Great show with debuts of some future, timeless fan favorites. Alot going on in this show, but for me, TLEO stuck out like a sore thumb...download and start dancin!
Peace brotha's

I am borderline embarrassed to say it (because there are oh-so-many worthy competitors), but I do believe this is my favorite show ever. In part, it is the fantastic-sounding recording (Jerry's guitar is very high in the mix), but the performance just slides right down my backbone. These early (in some cases first...) performances of "Row Jimmy" and "Here Comes Sunshine" are my favorite ever. Perhaps my favorite song of the set is "They Love Each Other". Just listen to the funky shuffle they lay down! Absolute pinnacle of funkitude. I brought this show over to the house of a friend who's an "appreciator" but not a fan. We smoked a bone then dropped this one on, and when "They Love Each Other" came on, we simultaneously stopped our conversation, stood up off our asses, and danced with a "this is just S-I-C-K" smirk on our faces.

Download now and be happy forever.

Bless us all.

If only this one had a Dark Star or Other One it would be in my top ten. In spite of major tech problems and this being their first show, they manage to deliver a sparkling performance,including many historic debuts of songs like Eyes,Row Jimmy Row and China Doll that will stay on the setlist menu for years to come. This is what I like to call a "greatest hits" show that they occasionally played from 1971 thru 1973. No long amazing jams, but they load up the sets with your favorite rockers and ballads. This show has them all - China>Rider, Jack Straw, Box of Rain (esp. good I might add) Casey Jones, Sugaree, and so on.
A show deserving of much praise. Also a great show for taking on long trips. In your car,I mean. Heh, heh. Give this show for Xmas presents! Oh,BTW the Eyes is amazingly good for the first time. For some fun,play this version, and then one from the end of 73, say 11/17 Eyes, and you'll see just how far the Dead can evolve a jam song in less than a year. A timeless and classic show!
Dr. Flashback ;-)

awesome show. download immediately. had this one off gdlive.com, a terrible sounding mp3, so i'm psyched to relive the show in the high definition of SBD.

I really like this show. Absent is the long winding jams from the likes of Dark Star, The Other One or Caution. But the version of Eyes is sweet, as is China Cat/Rider. I personally love the song list. I am a big Black Throated Wind, Deal, and Me and My Uncle fan. All of which impress. Not to mention, a version of Box of Rain. Hope you enjoy too.

The China->Rider is quite possibly the most smoking version I have heard. Ditto for TLEO. The Sugar Magnolia is a particularly tasty early version. In fact, it is safe to say the entire second set is on fire, with the first set being not far behind. One of 73's best, you'd be cheating yourself by not getting it...

this show rips along, jerry and bobby are right on. especially great big river, and just a fabulous set list in general from this great period in dead history.

Total raw energy played with a lot of feeling. Great China>Rider, TLEO, Eyes, etc.. A lot of these songs were played for the first time in this show. A little unfocused but that's what makes it so special. C'mon people, don't waste time browsing, download this classic!